Development and validation of a method for the simultaneous quantification of 21 microbial volatile organic compounds in ambient and exhaled air by thermal desorption and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry
Type de document
Études primaires
Année de publication
2022
Langue
Anglais
Titre de la revue
Atmosphere
Résumé
Microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) are metabolites developed by indoor molds responsible for several health effects. Their detection may be an alternative approach for fungal exposure assessment, given that the classical methods have limitations. The goal of this study was to develop and validate an analytical method to quantify 21 mVOCs in ambient and exhaled air using active sampling on sorbent tubes followed by thermal desorption and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. Tenax/Carbograph sorbent was selected for its extraction/desorption efficiency. Reliable linearity was obtained over the concentration range of mVOCs with low limits of detection (≥1.76 ng/m3) and quantification (≥5.32 ng/m3). Furthermore, accuracy and precision in the percentage recoveries ranged between 80–118% with coefficients of variations lower than 4.35% for all mVOCs. Feasibility tests with ambient air of different places (toxicology laboratory, office, and mold contaminated bedroom) showed that variations between settings were observable and that the highest mVOCs concentrations in the bedroom. Consequently, concentrations of 17 mVOCs were higher in the volunteer’s exhalate after exposure in the bedroom than in the laboratory. In conclusion, this method allows the detection of mVOCs in a new matrix, i.e., exhaled air and targeting the contaminated environment and, therefore, intervening for the protection of human health.
Mots-clés
Composés organiques volatils, Volatile organic compounds, Évaluation de l'exposition, Exposure evaluation, Air intérieur, Indoor air, Technique d'échantillonnage, Sampling method, Contaminant biologique, Biological contaminant, Test d'exposition, Exposure test, Aérosol, Aerosol, Moisissure, Mould
Numéro de projet IRSST
2018-0021
Citation recommandée
Tabbal, S., El Aroussi, B., Bouchard, M., Marchand, G. et Haddad, S. (2022). Development and validation of a method for the simultaneous quantification of 21 microbial volatile organic compounds in ambient and exhaled air by thermal desorption and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Atmosphere, 13(9), article 1432. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13091432